Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026
The Clinical Application of Tumor Treating Fields Therapy in Glioblastoma
Published on: April 16, 2019
Does adjuvant alpha-interferon improve outcome when combined with total skin irradiation for mycosis fungoides?
1Department of Radiation Oncology and Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4, Canada. david.roberge@muhc.mcgill.ca
Background:
Patients with mycosis fungoides (MF) experience frequent disease recurrences following total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) and may benefit from adjuvant therapy.
Objectives:
To review the McGill experience with adjuvant alpha-interferon (IFN) in the treatment of MF.
Methods:
From 1990 to 2000, 50 patients with MF were treated with TSEI: 31 with TSEI alone and 19 with TSEI + IFN. Median TSEI dose was 35 Gy. In the TSEI + IFN group, IFN was given subcutaneously at 3 x 10(6) units three times per week starting 2 weeks prior to start of TSEI, continued concurrently with the radiation and for an additional 12 months following TSEI. The TSEI alone group included 16 men and 15 women with a median age of 61 years (range 31-84). The TSEI + IFN group included 14 men and five women with a median age of 51 years (range 24-83). Clinical stage was IA, IB, IIA, IIB, III and IVA in 2, 9, 4, 8, 1 and 7 patients of the TSEI group and 0, 3, 3, 7, 4 and 2 patients of the TSEI + IFN group.
Results:
Median follow up for living patients was 70 months. All patients responded to treatment. Complete response (CR) rate was 65% following TSEI and 58% following TSEI + IFN (P = 0.6). Median overall survival (OS) was 61 months following TSEI and 38 months following TSEI + IFN (P = 0.4). Acute grade II-III dermatitis was seen in all patients. Fever, chills or myalgia were seen in 32% of patients treated with TSEI + IFN.
Conclusions:
Concurrent IFN and TSEI is feasible, with acceptable toxicity. Even when controlling for disease stage, the addition of IFN did not appear to increase CR rate, disease-free survival or OS.
Insights
Adjuvant alpha-interferon (IFN) combined with total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) for mycosis fungoides (MF) is feasible. However, adding IFN did not improve complete response rates, disease-free survival, or overall survival in MF patients.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Dermatology
Background:
- Mycosis fungoides (MF) frequently recurs after total skin electron irradiation (TSEI).
- Adjuvant therapies may reduce MF recurrence rates.
- Alpha-interferon (IFN) is a potential adjuvant therapy for MF.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of adjuvant alpha-interferon (IFN) combined with total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) in mycosis fungoides (MF) treatment.
- To review the McGill University's experience with this combined therapeutic approach.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective review of 50 mycosis fungoides (MF) patients treated between 1990 and 2000.
- Patients received either total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) alone (31 patients) or TSEI plus adjuvant alpha-interferon (IFN) (19 patients).
- IFN was administered subcutaneously prior to, during, and for 12 months after TSEI.
Main Results:
- All patients achieved a response to treatment.
- Complete response (CR) rates were 65% for TSEI alone and 58% for TSEI + IFN (P=0.6).
- Median overall survival (OS) was 61 months for TSEI alone versus 38 months for TSEI + IFN (P=0.4).
- Acute dermatitis (Grade II-III) occurred in all patients.
- Fever, chills, or myalgia were reported in 32% of patients receiving IFN.
Conclusions:
- Concurrent alpha-interferon (IFN) and total skin electron irradiation (TSEI) is a feasible treatment for mycosis fungoides (MF).
- The addition of IFN to TSEI did not significantly improve complete response rates, disease-free survival, or overall survival.
- Toxicity associated with combined therapy was acceptable.
